Rotary District 5360 Indigenous Relations Committee
Circle of Wisdom Elders & Senior Centre held their Annual Christmas Luncheon on December 11, 2024, in Calgary. Seniors enjoyed a holiday meal, fun, friendship, dancing and music by Steven Klevsky and our very own Manon Mitchell (Palladio Music).
For the second year, the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown was proud to be a part of the event by providing 100 unwrapped gifts & stocking stuffers for grandchildren. The gifts were laid out on the tables and the Seniors shopped for their grandchildren while volunteer elves wrapped the gifts. The RCCD Indigenous Reconciliation committee would like to thank elves Lindsay Reiber, Ellens Hildebrand, Mikaela Hildebrand, and Farshad Islam for volunteering for the event. Also, kudos to Dawn Cruickshank of the Little Red Reading House, one of the Big Book Sale proceed recipients, who provided 100 books by Indigenous authors & 35 non-fiction books. This event is one of the many ways that Calgary Reads Big Book Sale https://www.bigbooksale.ca/ supports Childhood literacy and changes lives!
Rotary Christmas Hampers and Food Security…
Franco Savoia
I am a donor and have been an “elf” for two families in our annual Rotary Christmas Hamper program. I want to acknowledge the leadership and passion of George Brookman, Howie Shikaze and their team for this annual initiative in our club. Their commitment inspires and motivates our participation as club members.
Our Christmas hampers have two components: gifts for each child and adult in the family and food. Each family in their request shares its children’s interests and the preferred supermarket. In some cases the family requests gift cards to a store of their choice. As we prepare the hamper, it includes wrapped gifts, gift cards and supermarket food cards. In addition, we include plush toys and teddy bears, books through our early child literacy program and passes from the YMCA. I am sure that the gratitude and appreciation from the two families (a single parent and a 10-person household) was mirrored among all the families that we supported.
The provision of supermarket gift cards for food is most appropriate approach to provide emergency food. I Can for Kids and Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids have researched the impact of providing supermarket cards rather than food. It has much greater positive impact on families because it respects their dignity as they can choose their food.
Our Christmas hamper program aligns so very well with the research. It is an important aspect of our club’s understanding of the food security area of focus.
Meet our Club Treasurer - Joel Snodgrass
Diane Macdonald
Joel took on the role of Club Treasurer this year after less than two years in our Club, but he was a Rotary member in Lethbridge before moving to Calgary for work. His community giving predated his Rotary membership as he volunteered previously through International Volunteer HQ, a global volunteer travel organization. As he visited different countries, he volunteered at orphanages in Costa Rica and Laos, and taught English to college students in Vietnam.
During a conversation with Joel, you will quickly realize that he has spent time thinking about Rotary and his role in the Club. He believes that being a Rotarian involves more than just donating funds to worthwhile organizations; it should involve being present in the community in a personal way. He hopes that we deploy our resources in an efficient manner and that we’re present to witness the results – to really learn how our funds make a difference in the community.
During our discussion, Joel brought up the concept of the “The Reciprocity Ring”, which he believes can be used more intentionally to attract membership into a Rotary Club. The idea encompasses the ‘pay-it-forward’ mentality. Joining a group is a two-way street (or a circle) in which each person comes with something with which they may need help. You can gain that help by meeting people at different stages of life, and with different skill sets, who can help you with your needs. In turn, you can offer your knowledge, services, connections, etc. to others depending on their requests they bring to the table. In Rotary, we all learn from mentorship, networking, and from the guest speakers we hear from at our meetings.
Joel tells me that his favourite involvements in the Club so far have been volunteering at the Big Book Sale, adopting a family for the Christmas Hampers each year and working with the Small Donations Committee. He’s an involved member!
On a personal note, Joel and his partner, Kira, were married in September of this year, honeymooned in Italy and moved into a new house when they returned. Joel is a lover of the outdoors – he hikes, camps in a tent trailer and plays in a dodgeball league. He and Kira especially enjoy spending lots of time with family and friends.
Our CLIP Project Wins an International Award
Manon Mitchell
I received wonderful news just before Christmas. Our Cambodia Literacy Integrative Project, affectionately known as CLIP, is one of the 4 winners of the 2025 Basic Education & Literacy Rotary Action Group competition.
The message from BELRAG representative, Nancy Leonhardt read as follows:
"Dear Manon
Congratulations! Your project, Cambodia Integration Project has been chosen as one of the winners of the 2024 Basic Education and Literacy Awards. We would like to congratulate you on the thoroughness of the project that followed very closely to the criteria we thought made a strong and effective education based project.
This was a strong education project whose focus on a train the trainer model is a good example for other clubs to follow.
Well done and good luck as the project progresses. We hope that your prize will help you further the project which you are continuing."
The prize comes with a $500 USD cash award which will be forwarded to the project for additional resources for the teachers.
Thanks to our collaborative Rotary club partners including the Rotary Club of Calgary at Stampede Park, the Rotary Club of Calgary Chinook, the Rotary Club of Calgary West, the Rotary Club of Calgary East and the Rotary Club of Calgary Centennial.
This was the third CLIP project and we are currently seeking partners for CLIP 4; want to be part of a winning team? Contact Manon
Training Medical Personnel in Nicaragua
Sonny Belenkie
The first graduating classes in the satellite university program our club supported through a global grant are ready to be in service for their communities. This program allowed acquisition of knowledge and skills by people who may not otherwise have had this opportunity and for others to receive services that otherwise may not have been available.
Rotary in Full Bloom: Let's Color Calgary Together!
Deb Hymers
🌸 Blanket Calgary with Rotary Colors! 🌸
The Rotary International Convention is coming to Calgary in June 2025, and we need YOUR help to make our city shine! Let’s welcome Rotarians with vibrant blooms in Rotary colors—showing the world our Rotary pride.
🌞 Brighten Up Any Spot! Choose from stunning flower options for sunny or shady areas. Plus, for the first time ever, grab our 22-inch show-stopping planter that’s sure to turn heads!
🗓️ Order Deadline: January 31, 2025 Don’t miss out! Our growers begin planting on February 1, ensuring your pots are bursting with color.
📍 Pickup Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Two convenient locations to choose from.
🌟 Let’s create a city full of Rotary magic together!
Questions? Contact Marlene Doherty at doherty8@telus.net.
Youth Centres of Calgary Newsletter #30
Jane Wachowich, Founder & Executive Director
It’s been a busy time at YCC Youth Centres of Calgary with donors, staff and volunteers preparing holiday gift boxes for families, and supporting the kids who continue to arrive at our doors every day.
January is designated as the month for Vocational Service- one of Rotary’s Five Avenues of Service. During this month, we aim to inspire, empower, and transform individuals through our various vocations and networks. We focus on creating and promoting high standards in work ethics, service, and personal integrity.
What will you do to assist?
2024 Charitable Donation Deadline Extended!
Department of Finance, Govt of Canada
The Federal government has extended the deadline for charitable tax receipts until 28 February 2025. It's not too late to make that donation to:
If you'd like to have us publish an article or have an idea about what we should be publishing, please forward your ideas to Manon or Diane by the FRIDAY before the Tuesday publication date.
You are also welcome to contact either Manon or Diane to discuss any idea you may have.
Here are the publication dates for the first half on 2025:
Jan 7, 21
Feb 4, 18
Mar 4, 18
Apr 1, 15, 29
May 6, 20
June 3, 17
If you enjoy reading the COG, let us know because your comments are the only way we know we are hitting the mark and it is our reward!
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Joel took on the role of Club Treasurer this year after less than two years in our Club, but he was a Rotary member in Lethbridge before moving to Calgary for work. His community giving predated his Rotary membership as he volunteered previously through International Volunteer HQ, a global volunteer travel organization. 
I received wonderful news just before Christmas. Our Cambodia Literacy Integrative Project, affectionately known as CLIP, is one of the 4 winners of the 2025 Basic Education & Literacy Rotary Action Group competition. 
It’s been a busy time at YCC Youth Centres of Calgary with donors, staff and volunteers preparing holiday gift boxes for families, and supporting the kids who continue to arrive at our doors every day.
